We the People…

Constitution DaySeptember 17th

Magna Carta1215

English Bill of Rights

1689

Articles of Confederation

1781

Declaration of Independence

1776

Mayflower Compact

1620

Thomas JeffersonAuthor of the “Declaration of Independence”

Celebrate the Constitution

After declaring independence from Great Britain, the colonies knew to grow and prosper, they needed a plan for unity. Effective March 1, 1781, the colonies were governed by the Articles of Confederation.

After declaring independence from Great Britain, the colonies knew that if they wanted to grow and prosper, they would need a plan for unity.

Effective March 1, 1781, the colonies were governed by the Articles of Confederation.

Articles of Confederation

1781

The Federalist Papers

1787-1788

United States Constitution

1788

Celebrate the Constitution

John AdamsFounding Father and 2nd

President

The Articles of Confederation posed many challenges. The powers of the central government were weak and the articles were impossible to amend.

United States Constitution

1788

The Bill of Rights 1791

Amendments

11-26

1795-1992

James Madison

“Father of the Constitution”

Celebrate the Constitution

In May of 1787, delegates from each state met to write a new Constitution. Through discussion and debate over issues like states’ rights, individual rights, and the power of the national government, a compromise was made and the result became the “law of the land,” the U.S. Constitution.

George Washington President of the Constitutional

Convention and 1st President

Celebrate the Constitution

Popular Sovereignty

Checks and

Balances

Separation of Powers

Limited Government

September 17, 1787 was a glorious day! The U.S. Constitution was finally signed by the delegates of the Constitutional Convention. The Constitution included a strong central government based on compromise; it outlined national powers and provided provisions for amending the Constitution.

“The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon. -George Washington

Celebrate the Constitution

Benjamin Franklin

Signer of the Constitution and Founding Father

Because there was so much interest and debate regarding individual rights, on December 15, 1791, ten amendments known as the Bill of Rights were added to the U.S. Constitution. Since then, seventeen more amendments have been added to the Constitution.

Individual Rights

Republicanism

Federalism

Celebrate the Constitution Today

The Constitution of the United States was made not merely for the generation that then exist, but for the posterity - unlimited undefined, endless, perpetual posterity

-Henry Clay (1877-1852)

American statesman - U.S. Congressman and Senator

Today, the “law of the land” is still the U.S. Constitution. It has sustained controversial issues, a civil war, and the changes that 200 years of American society brings. But it is strong and

enduring. For that, We The People celebrate today the strength and flexibility of the U.S. Constitution.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Preamble of the U.S. Constitution

As a class, read the Preamble of the United States Constitution.